Season of Arts

Cleveland's arts-and-culture scene is second to none - from gallery hops to star-studded Broadway shows and not-to-be-missed exhibits, it's all here.

On September 16 from 1 to 7 p.m., and September 17 from 1 to 5 p.m., more than 500 artists will showcase regional talent during the fourth-annual Sparx Gallery Hop. Public trolleys provide easy access to a wide range of galleries, studios and art institutions throughout downtown Cleveland, Tremont, Superior Corridor, University Circle and Little Italy neighborhoods, where one-of-a-kind creations await.

The Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival, September 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and September 17 from noon to 5 p.m., is a multicultural celebration featuring dancers and performing artists, as well as fine art, sculpture, original jewelry, food, music and children's activities. Gallery spotlights continue on the second Friday of each month, between 6 and 10 p.m., with the Tremont ArtWalk and Art Hop.

Throughout the evening, music fills the air in this eclectic neighborhood of artisans, and fine dining establishments serve their specialties.Music lovers from around the world make the pilgrimage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Exhibits include "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: A Southern Accent," a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the group's debut release, which includes clothing, instruments and lyric manuscripts; "Rick Nelson: From Idol to Icon," a tribute to the early pop star filled with costumes, instruments and hand-written lyrics; "Haunting and Yearning: The Life and Music of Roy Orbison," featuring clothing, instruments and pieces from the singer/guitarist's model plane collection; and the return of "George Harrison and Friends: The Concert of Bangladesh." (Petty, Orbison and Harrison were members of the Traveling Wilburys.) Celebrate the life and music of Roy Orbison on November 4, when the Rock Hall's American Music Masters Series presents "Only the Lonely," a tribute concert at Playhouse Square Center.

The world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art takes visitors to sunny Spain when "Barcelona! Picasso, Gaudi, Miro, Dali" is showcased October 15 through January 7. The exhibition is the first in North America to examine the 71-year period (1868-1939) when Barcelona became one of the most dynamic centers of modernist art and architecture in Europe. Through the masterworks of internationally celebrated artists, the exhibit explores the relationship among visual arts, broader cultural movements and political events. From February 18 through May 20, 2007, the museum will present "Monet in Normandy," the first exhibition to deal with the region of France in which the renowned artist spent most of his life and did the majority of his work. The museum's 16th-annual Chalk Festival will take place September 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists of all skill levels are invited to transform the terrace overlooking picturesque Wade Lagoon into a creative canvas of color.

Playhouse Square Center, the second-largest performing-arts center in the country, is once again bringing the best of Broadway to the North Coast. The 2006-2007 season includes "Monty Python's Spamalot" (October 3â€“15), the comedic tale of the search for the Holy Grail based on the classic film; "The Light in the Piazza" (January 16â€“28), the poignant story of a mother-daughter trip to Tuscany and the romance that follows; and "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life," (February 13â€“25), starring the legendary hoofer performing her renowned routines. Other headliners coming to Playhouse Square include Hal Holbrook, who will present his unforgettable tribute to Mark Twain (November 3); pop legend Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons (November 12); and the irrepressible comedian George Carlin (November 16).